Main menu

You are here

Murman report: A mile wide and an inch deep

When he first began his $20,000 integrity probe of police Chief Kim Nuesse, attorney Michael Murman sent out a press release.

Anyone with “first-hand knowledge of accusations” against Nuesse should contact him. He also wanted to hear from anyone with “counter-accusations against other city officials.”

But Murman used different words to describe that invitation in the summary report of his investigation:

“(Despite) the almost constant presence of the investigators in the community over the past 10 weeks and a press release inviting those with information favorable to the chief to come forward, their silence has been deafening.”

Congratulations to city commissioners Dennis Murray Jr. and Craig Stahl, and city manger Matt Kline and law director Don Icsman.

You got exactly what you wanted: An investigation all boxed up that says exactly what you wanted it to say.

*

Matt Westerhold is managing editor of the Register. Westerhold writes a weekly column in the Sunday Register and he is a member of the media company's editorial board. He often also writes about his personal views in this opinion blog.

Comments

Anonymous

Fri, 04/03/2009 - 3:38am

To: Julie R.....

Get a life..........

My thoughts

Fri, 04/03/2009 - 6:16am

Same old Huron baseball!

NineMM

Fri, 04/03/2009 - 8:13am

For some reason......We are unable to comment on Baxters suit against the Register. John Doe is right! For KB to win this suit, the things that have been written about him have to be disproven as being false or defamatory. The BCI will have to produce evidence to the contrary of cocaine usage, and everyone knows that he was investigated in his Mothers estate. Good job Matt, forcing Baxters hand. I just hope you don't turn out to be the "sacrificial lamb" in this whole mess. We all know this GOB system runs all the way to Columbus.........This is going to be very interesting.

Julie R.

Fri, 04/03/2009 - 8:46am

Baxter and his terrorist buddies have had a lot of "sacrificial lambs" including Kim Nuesse.

Truth or Dare

Fri, 04/03/2009 - 8:53am

I'm beyond curious, I WANT TO KNOW IF TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING USED FOR THE REPRESENTATION OF Mr. Baxter in this lawsuit?

Julie R.

Fri, 04/03/2009 - 9:51am

Considering how tax dollars were used when old judge C. ruled in Baxter's favor in his mother's estate, I'm sure our tax dollars will be spent on this, also.

ibd1

Fri, 04/03/2009 - 10:49am

I wanted to comment on Baxters suit against the SR, but it no workee. I think you suckered him into this court battle to expose him. If so, good job! I like a fellow who thinks like that. And. Good Luck to ya.

00SEVEN

Fri, 04/03/2009 - 11:31am

Matt, make sure you get the Baxter brothers that were CHEATED out of the estate to testify on your behalf. I'm quite sure you won't have any problems getting people to come forward. Also I think it's great that the Register's attornies can object to the hand picked judge for a conflict of interest. I feel that this is just the tip of the iceburg with Baxter. Go get him Matt!!!

ODNR1

Fri, 04/03/2009 - 11:50am

It seems that Mr. Baxter cannot take the heat. Now he is suing. Hopefully the truth will come out in the lawsuit.

NineMM

Fri, 04/03/2009 - 1:21pm

I just wonder....Who will be representing the Register in this? If I were to bet that it be K. Ron would I be far off? I wonder how Elsebeth might play into this? She certainly isn't a credible witness......But could she be vindicated?

kURT

Fri, 04/03/2009 - 2:14pm

C'on Sue....it isn't always about the outside. Wisdom should come with age. Inner beauty is very appealing to many. Sweetness & decency are rare nowadays. This trait alone can be very attractive.

SCHLICK

Fri, 04/03/2009 - 6:17pm

Moderators have removed this comment because it contained libelous or defamatory statements.

RManner

Fri, 04/03/2009 - 7:18pm

Congrats on a fine performance Adam.

Art_Vandalay

Fri, 04/03/2009 - 7:44pm

you go mick! there is no place for ammoral homosexuals

Julie R.

Fri, 04/03/2009 - 7:52pm

A prosecutor suing a newspaper? Now I heard it all....But then what would one expect from a city that would fire a Police Chief for no reason at all but their own corrupt agenda and then spend a million dollars of taxpayer money on the SAME 'OLE, SAME 'OLE retired visiting judge SCAM.

Anonymous

Sat, 04/04/2009 - 4:46am

Sorry, but the song is "Gold Lion"...not that I am one for details.

Brain Chase went to Oberlin, and I think one of the other members might have as well. Oberlin also produced Liz Phair.

More to the point, it floors me that people are let down when a band makes an album that does not sound like the album they put out before.

Anonymous

Sat, 04/04/2009 - 4:52am

Well, you got me. At least I did call people idiots while making my mistake.

Matt Damon

Sat, 04/04/2009 - 9:24am

maybe someone will bring a new newspaper here when the register goes bankrupt and shuts down.

Pat

Thu, 02/26/2009 - 7:02pm

Moderators have removed this comment because it contained personal attacks.

Julie R.

Sat, 04/04/2009 - 10:07am

Matt Damon: I don't think the Register will go bankrupt but Sandusky and Erie County sure is on the verge. That's what they get for all the years they got away with their corrupt activities!

NineMM

Sat, 04/04/2009 - 10:26am

Wonder why the two brothers aren't named as defendants as well...........Shawn was seen dropping off a bunch of paperwork to the Register several months ago, and didn't a suit that E.Jay filed get dismissed a few months back? As far as Else being called as a witness, I don't know if she would be deemed "credible".

Julie R.

Sat, 04/04/2009 - 11:20am

All lawsuits in Erie County begin with the number of the year they are filed. Baxter's lawsuit is time-stamped April 2, 2009 but the case number begins with 2008.........looks to me like this was already to be filed four months ago. ( or maybe it's a minor mistake by the Clerk of Courts who is VERY GOOD at "minor mistakes"----like sending Judgment Entries to incorrect addresses per the instruction of a certain magistrate of Binette's Court and then not resending it until almost 30 days later )

Sam

Sat, 04/04/2009 - 1:23pm

Why is this newspaper blocing the blog on the Baxter lawsuit vs this newspaper?

Sam

Sat, 04/04/2009 - 1:23pm

Why is this newspaper blocking the blog on the Baxter lawsuit vs this newspaper?

SCHLICK

Sat, 04/04/2009 - 6:46pm

LET'S GET JUDGE CIRIGLIANO TO HEAR THIS CASE. HE'S A VERY EXPERIENCED JUDGE AND HE'S COMFORTABLE IN ERIE COUNTY!!! HE WOULD BE A GREAT CHOICE CHIEF JUSTICE MOYER.

Sue Daugherty

Sat, 04/04/2009 - 8:20pm

DEAR kURT, That's my point! Own your age... and those characteristics you just described are what will become valued instead of the superficial characteristics we value today.

Thanks for commmenting!! -- Sue

Sue Daugherty

Sat, 04/04/2009 - 8:36pm

I'm one of those "over 35 year old's you are blogging about. I am amazed at how willing the teens and young adults are about posting unflattering information about their private lives on line.

And for those things that aren't "unflattering", what assures the person that their information won't be obtained by someone else and misused?

jasonsinger

Sat, 04/04/2009 - 10:11pm

You are correct, Mr. Sandusky: "Gold Lion" is the name of the song; thanks for keeping me accurate. I'm out of town, but I'll change it when I return Monday.

I agree with you. I think it's silly when people get upset that a band makes an album that doesn't sound like their previous album. Bands, like all things, evolve. It's a Catch 22 for musicians: If they don't change, critics may say they've run out of ideas and become stale. If they do change, people act surprised and often complain. It's tough to please everyone...

Winston Smith

Sat, 04/04/2009 - 11:17pm

One of my favorite aphorisms:

When you're green you grow; when you're ripe you rot.

And a ponderous one from Satchel Page that kinda gets to the heart of your blog entry Ms. Daugherty:

'How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?'

sandumpy

Sun, 04/05/2009 - 5:44am

SORRY SANDUSKY LOSES AGAIN. WAIT TILL THE big upset this fall.

Anonymous

Sun, 04/05/2009 - 9:29am

I forgot one thing:

Ever notice that the drummer for the Yeah, Yeah, Yeah's looks like a live version of Milhouse from the Simpsons? Watch the "Gold Lion" video and you will see what I mean.

Pat

Sun, 04/05/2009 - 9:52am

How much is he suing for? Does anybody know the answer to that question.

And, who is representing that jerk, and is the county paying for his representation?

Brett The Hitma...

Sun, 04/05/2009 - 11:11am

If you mean in football i doubt the pirates come out with a win, Sandusky might not be a great football program, but they still will win this fall. BTW perkins has anything but a average baseball team, they are state caliber.

CM

Sun, 04/05/2009 - 7:27pm

Do they also teach you to report the "facts" on BOTH sides of the issues?

Anonymous

Mon, 04/06/2009 - 5:45am

To: Pat & Julie R.

(Pat) Why is he a jerk???? Matt Westerhold has done nothing but try and destroy everyone who opposes Kim Nuesse and he finally went too far. Westerhold has NO defense here, you CAN NOT do what he did over the months and not have to answer for it. He did this all in the name of "defending" Kim Nuesse.

(Julie R.) You seem to have a lot knowledge, but never really say anything. You people are so quick to defend this guy who has a habit of sticking his foot in his mouth and someone finally called him on it. I am guessing Brian Baxter could care less if he gets one penny from this case, he just wants Westerhold to answer for attempting to destroy the reputations of several city officials. This is gonna be a GREAT trial, well for SOME....

hancrack me up

Mon, 04/06/2009 - 7:00am

If this trial ever even gets off the ground it will drain city taxpayers dry because that's where Bax will dip into to pay for it. As soon as the Neusse thing ends we can all be tired of seeing this on the front page every day.

Erie Countian

Mon, 04/06/2009 - 9:34am

CM, I agree with you wholeheartedly. I feel there has been a lot of very unprofessional journalism going on in the pages of the Register. Might be a good idea if Mr. Jackson (and others) enrolled in a session regarding fair and unbiased reporting while at this conference. I am not on either side of the Nuesse issue, nor am I a fan of many of our elected officials, but I would like to be able to read just the facts regarding both sides of an issue and make up my own mind about things. I do not believe the Register is currently reporting on local issues in an unbiased manner. I also found it very telling that no comments were allowed on Friday's article regarding the Baxter/Register lawsuit, but the comment section was open for Sunday's Nuesse article. Why the blockage on selected articles on a related topic?

outsider

Mon, 04/06/2009 - 10:02am

Had this discussion with my wife and she recalls her first experience with "the importance of a female based on looks" at 8 years old.

Women have accepted this marketing allusion for over a hundred years. No one to blame but yourselves. Stop drinking the kool-aid.

skinny

Mon, 04/06/2009 - 10:05am

The reason the newspaper is blocking the blog of Kevin Baxter's suit is they have been WARNED under Kevie's advisement. All matt did was open up comments unde his article. We all know that Kevin is a piece of crap and his reputation was detroyed way before Matt was on to him. You'd think this stupid freak would step down and resign all he's doing is opening a can of worms to destroy himslef. its obvious he's operating on on a thin string right with this riduclous suit :)..... lol A law suit over the truth is saying hes on some serious drugs. maybe the coke has made himslef a believer of him being an honest man you think . Did he forget the lives he's destroyed as a vicious act or is he suffereing from some sort of amnesia ? Kevie get off the coke and get help you slime ball. You will never be respected in Erie County as a prosecutor it's too late ~ You've ruined your own reputation.

outsider

Mon, 04/06/2009 - 10:12am

What happened to that kid from Huron that transfer to Perkins to play baseball? He was supposed to be a great pitcher. Did he get hurt? Don't see his name mentioned in any article about Perkins.His name was Krumluf or something like that.

Anonymous

Mon, 04/06/2009 - 10:39am

HI ALL:

The unholy attorneys are now in charge of the "Free Press."Here is what they do: 1. Tell Matt to halt any further opinions Re; Baxter. (and he's probably not permitted to say that). 2. They want copies of eveything written at The Register regarding Baxter. 3. They will want copies of EVERY blog PRINTED by The Register. 4. Hopefully, a legal EXPERT in libel, slander and defamation will meet and explain why The Register has nothing to worry about. ------------- Kevin Baxter is a "Public Person." All elected officials live in glass houses. Look up the definitions in an online law dictionaryof "Private Persons" and Public Persons."

My legal opinion: Baxter has no law firm representing him. They would not take it on a contingency basis. He has filed the legal action as a smoke screen, attempting to cloud what appears to be the end of his career.

Just what Erie County court will hear this case? All local judges will excuse themselves. Baxter may ask this case be transferred to another county. Where, East? He will probably offer that because of The Register, he cannot get a fair deal in Erie County --- IF there's an eventual jury situation.

The Register's expert legal team in Cleveland (the best in the country regarding defamation -- I know 'em), will drag this out because they know Baxter will have to foot their legal expenses.

So, Matt's hands are tied up at this time, and I suspect he is boiling. Folks, be patient. He will bounce back! I have been sued for defamation a dozen times---never lost a case. All Vs. Public Persons. Have a good day Cobb

Jackie White

Mon, 04/06/2009 - 10:57am

Kevin you should say your sorry to the McDonald fmaily for printing in the newspaper that Dewitt was an terrible person. You posed in the register with a 9mm convicing the readers that your officers confiscated the gun that killed Vivivan Johnson. You listed everything that you could think of about Dewitt that was bad press even when you knew he was never charged with a crime that you stated in your register. Maybe we should sue the Register also ? Kevin you were on this witch hunt to get a conviction for the murder of Vivian Johnson so wants wrong with the editors to be on one against you. You had the newspaper wrapped around your finger from the early 80's to up until now. Whatever Kevin wanted Kevin got it. You know Kevin, what you did back when is considered a volation of the 8th Ammendment...... How dare you sue the news paper now. Its fun when when you were having your way controlling Sandusky and the Press. it was game to you wasn't it Kevin. It was never an issue then so why is it now. Oh I know, the truth hurts right kevin the truth hurts. Now that the truth is being printed about you and people see you for who you are its a hard pill to swallow, right. So Kevin are you saying that the public should disregard, Krista Harris affidavidt stating that she witnesssed our dearest prosecutor sniffing cocaine at his home ? Don't forget we have a case pending in federal court against you Kevin. What goes around comes around. Your day is here, so face it and be ready to make yourself accountable Kevin. Good Luck Matt ~ You have nothing to worry about. Kevin's reputation has been detroyed way before you came on the scene. Once a snake always a snake.

curious

Mon, 04/06/2009 - 11:12am

Sorry Streaks, but the Pirates will kick tail on the gridiron this fall as well. The football program just don't have it. They haven't since the late 70's and as far as I can tell, they never will again!

Anonymous

Mon, 04/06/2009 - 11:17am

"We know where you live‚Ä¶"

Great motto.

Enjoyed this blog post.

Looking forward to seeing what you thought about "Dancing With The Stars." Come dancing...

Hey jackie, any updates as to when Dewitt's case will be heard ? Dewitt sure did get a bum deal by being railroaded byr Kevin. It's one thing to do time for something you did, and another to do time for something you didn't do. Doing 15 years in prison is not a walk in the park. Kevin gave Dewitt a life sentence for a piece of tale and a sniff of coke. I'd say he sold his soul to the Devil.....

I surely hope the Federal Courts will see through this and it turns out be favorable for Dewitt. if I were Dewitt when he can see the light at the end of the tunnel, I'd stripp kevin of everything including breaking erie county and go after the head of Moyer for allowing Kevin to be a corrupt prosecutor. Not only is Kevin in the spotlight with Dewitt's case Kevin should be shaking in his boots with Shawn Caston hit and run case. I hear Shawn is ready to let Kevin have it so hopefully this will help Dewitt along the way. According to Shawn's folks shawn has cooperated with Dewitt's attorney giving a tape confession of how he was threatened by Kevin. So as you can see Dewitt is not alone. Elsebeth Baumgartner will be next, and the list goes on.

God Bless You and your family.

skinny

Mon, 04/06/2009 - 1:17pm

Oklahoma is finding Dewitt's case interesting. Perhaps the light at the end of the tunnel is closer than you think. I think the Feds are believing McDonald was framed by yours truly.....

In re: Dewitt McDonald, Jr., No. 06-4120 (6th Cir., January 10, 2008): Habeas Corpus; Second/Successive: McDonald is granted permission from the Circuit to file a second habeas petition based on newly discovered facts(!) This is a rarity in habeas corpus praxis but the facts alleged by McDonald fit the bill. McDonald was convicted of multiple counts, including murder, primarily on the strength of the State's star witness, Krista Harris. However, Harris has since alleged by affidavit that the prosecutor in the case threatened her with false criminal charges to not only deliver perjured testimony against McDonald, but also to engage in non-consensual sex with the prosecutor; and, the allegations were corroborated by an affidavit from the prosecutor's brother.

skinny

Mon, 04/06/2009 - 1:31pm

The question that should have been asked of Moyer " Is why is it that complaints filed against Kevin Baxter are never investigated ? Citizens that have filed complaints against Kevin have a wealth of information and evidence. What does it take to get a corrupted lawyer investigated ? Is it that you're just as corrupt Mr. Moyer ?

Boy does he look bad ~ A face lift would do him justice.

sandumpy

Mon, 04/06/2009 - 2:12pm

hey know itall - the streaks record from 88- 89- 90- was 31-3! I would say that is better than any 3 year run jerkins ever had .

Gyro Cart Guy

Mon, 04/06/2009 - 3:29pm

Based on school size and geography, this makes the most sense for Edison and Huron.

This could get interesting.

ModernDayBootlegger

Mon, 04/06/2009 - 5:53pm

It makes NO sense for Huron, who is a very small D4 in football, and soon to be D5.

They would also be increasing overall travel time and expense, as would Edison.

Anonymous

Mon, 04/06/2009 - 8:02pm

I would not wait to start weeping in shame.

Winston Smith

Mon, 04/06/2009 - 8:54pm

Mr. Jackson wrote:

'...we covered our own food, lodging, bar tab, etc.'

The cheap SOB's didn't even give you a stipend of an allowance?

Non-reimbursable business expenses! Keep good records of mileage, receipts, etc.

I've been self-employed for yrs. It‚Äôs amazing how the accretion of those little almost inconsequential expenses add up to some big deductions at tax time.

Rick Studer

Mon, 04/06/2009 - 10:19pm

Thus proving the idiom ‚ÄúIt takes one to know one‚Äù. Idiom-it.

curious

Tue, 04/07/2009 - 9:26am

Girl, you will not be single long at all. You are beautiful!! The guys will be beating your door down!!Stay on track. You can do this! Sheila

curious

Tue, 04/07/2009 - 1:58pm

RE: sandumpyMemories..........cherish them! That's all the Streaks football program will ever have. Sad but true!

reader

Tue, 04/07/2009 - 9:38pm

Lately you have posted fewer breaking news stories from the current newspaper, sometimes posting them a day later. Did you decide you were giving away too much for free?

Also, its a bit insane to splash a teaser headline like the one this evening about the stimulus money for local projects without telling us which projects are being funded. You'll drive readers to other news souces and make your web site irrelevant.

Leslie524

Tue, 04/07/2009 - 10:22pm

I love ya girl..ur just fine with out him. You and ur kids deserve sooo much better. U deserve someone who will love you for YOU, not what what u can do for him or give him.

Anonymous

Wed, 04/08/2009 - 5:25am

I noticed Matt hasnt written a new article in a while, wonder what he's doing??? LMAO!!!!!

Julie R.

Wed, 04/08/2009 - 8:17am

RE joecitizen: I noticed you and the other Nuesse haters never responded to the good points that were brought up by firelands411. Any reason why?

jasonsinger

Wed, 04/08/2009 - 9:02am

LOL. My two Cy Young predictions, Josh Beckett and Josh Johnson, got off to great starts!

skinny

Wed, 04/08/2009 - 9:05am

matt, keep them wondering what you're doing.

jackie

skinny

Wed, 04/08/2009 - 9:45am

jackie you never answered me about dewitt

Anonymous

Wed, 04/08/2009 - 10:57am

~ This reporter doesn't have a clue. Cleveland Reporter states to Kevin defesne.

by MERRIMANLGM, 4/6/09 20:45 ET Prosecutor Sues Sandusky Register for Defamation Newspaper Invented Testimony to Ignite Cocaine ControversyFor the past ten months, the Sandusky Register has spun a salacious and sensational tale of scandal: A cocaine-abusing county prosecutor who lies to government investigators and abuses his power to falsify public records. In reality, the Register‚Äôs storyline is a complete fabrication.

Driven by the actual malice of Managing Editor Matt Westerhold, the newspaper has perpetrated an unlawful campaign of defamation intended to destroy the career and reputation of Erie County Prosecutor Kevin Baxter. Westerhold has made no secret of his contempt for Baxter and has falsely accused him of criminal activity ranging from drug abuse to falsification.

‚ÄúThe reporting has been disgraceful,‚Äù said Tom Merriman, a former investigative journalist and one of Baxter‚Äôs attorneys. ‚ÄúThere is a clear public record which proves the Register knows its stories are false.‚Äù

The lawsuit, filed today in Erie County Common Pleas Court by the law firm of Landskroner Grieco Madden, alleges the newspaper manufactured a storyline ‚Äúbuilt upon invented testimony, the distortion of innocuous facts, and the knowing re-publication of long discredited defamatory statements.‚Äù

‚ÄúI respect the role of the press,‚Äù Baxter said, ‚Äúbut journalism is supposed to be driven by the truth.‚Äù

The Register‚Äôs attacks on Baxter grew out of Managing Editor Westerhold‚Äôs public crusade to save the job of former Sandusky Police Chief Kim Nuesse. City Manager Matt Kline recently fired Nuesse following an independent investigation by attorney Michael Murman. Although Baxter did not initiate the investigation, Westerhold claimed in his column, ‚ÄúNuesse-gate is all about comfort for Baxter.‚Äù

In his blog on SanduskyRegister.com, reporter Jason Singer details his boss‚Äô ‚Äúrage‚Äù towards Baxter. Singer writes of Westerhold, ‚ÄúHe believes Baxter dodges hard questions, hides from the truth, participates in shady dealings and is basically the Lord Voldemort of Erie County.‚Äù The article even provides readers with a link to a description of Voldemort (and presumably Baxter) as ‚Äúa raging psychopath, devoid of normal human responses.‚Äù

‚ÄúWhile I don‚Äôt normally recommend suing people who buy their ink by the barrel,‚Äù added attorney Jack Landskroner, ‚Äú Westerhold‚Äôs extreme bias has distorted the newspapers‚Äô coverage well beyond the realm of constitutionally protected speech.‚Äù Landskroner is leading Baxter‚Äôs legal team which also filed a demand for records detailing Westerhold‚Äôs role in editing the Baxter stories.

Westerhold not only wrote columns falsely accusing Baxter of lying to Murman‚Äôs investigators and falsifying a public record, he also oversaw a series of defamatory articles, written by reporter Jason Singer. Singer‚Äôs reports attempted to dredge up and bolster a long-discredited allegation that Kevin Baxter had abused cocaine. Specifically, Singer made up testimony and attributed it to an agent from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification. Singer wrote, ‚ÄúA high-ranking undercover narcotics agent...testified there was a ‚Äòcredible witness‚Äô who could substantiate the accusations.‚Äù

The cocaine rumor was originally circulated by Baxter‚Äôs estranged brother Edward J. (‚ÄúEjay‚Äù) Baxter following a dispute over their parents estate. In 2002, a grand jury indicted him on 81 felony counts for sending out letters accusing his brother of drug abuse, case fixing, and various criminal acts. Ejay Baxter ultimately pled guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice, admitting in open court and again in a written statement that he had lied about his brother. The Sandusky Register covered the entire case.

‚ÄúI‚Äôve never used cocaine and Matt Westerhold knows Ejay made it up,‚Äù said Kevin Baxter. ‚ÄúHe‚Äôs given me no choice but to pursue this case.‚Äù

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ THE COMPLAINT, LOG ONTO WWW.TEAMLGM.COM, CLICK ON "FILED COMPLAINTS"

SHERI

Wed, 04/08/2009 - 11:08am

It's time to worry about yourself and everything else will fall into place.......you're doing a great job, keep it up!!

Julie R.

Wed, 04/08/2009 - 1:35pm

Baxter said he's never used cocaine......so why not take a drug test and end all rumors then? Why create half a dozen other issues to cover up the REAL ONE?

Baxter's Cleveland attorney, Tom Merriman, said "the reporting has been disgraceful"....

All I've got to say to that MISTER MERRIMAN is-----it's disgraceful what attorneys from the Lorain-Cuyahoga County area are getting away with in Erie County. It's disgraceful how Erie County is helping these crooks BENEFIT from their own FRAUD in this County. It's disgraceful how the sitting judges in corrupt Cuyahoga County are covering up cases of fraud for ERIE COUNTY.

And last but not least----it's DISGRACEFUL how the taxpayers in Erie County are getting RIPPED OFF because of the GOBs dirty agendas using the well worn-out retired visiting Cuyahoga County judge SCAM and you Cleveland attorneys! Stay in your own dam* corrupt County! (and while you're at it take the GOBs from Erie County with you)

KGleis

Wed, 04/08/2009 - 5:18pm

I would just like to give everyone an update as of Today April 8th, I am down a total of 24.2 lbs ..... Only 76 pounds to goal !!! I'm taking it 1 day at a time .... Kristin

Julie R.

Fri, 04/10/2009 - 5:16am

A prosecutor alleged to be on drugs is probably the LEAST of the serious issues in this county. Like retiree said......this county needs to be investigated from the top to the bottom!

kjr71513

Wed, 04/08/2009 - 11:43pm

The Indians made a huge second half push last year and to give up on them after two games is just dumb...There are high hopes for this team and there is no reason they can not win the division.

SHERI

Thu, 04/09/2009 - 7:05am

CONGRATS on your 24lb loss...........you are doing awesome!!!!!!

edithann

Thu, 04/09/2009 - 7:53am

Take the test Baxter. If you're as pure as the driven snow, a test will show it and let's see that investigatory file, or did someone get paid off to bury it?

Retiree

Thu, 04/09/2009 - 8:46am

Is "I" short for "idiot"?

Julie R.

Thu, 04/09/2009 - 10:25am

Had the situation been reversed---had it been Nuesse alleged to be a drug user---I'm sure the city law director and/or the city's Cleveland attorneys would have demanded a drug test be taken immediately.

As per usual the city is showing how corrupt they are when it comes to illegal double standards.

SCHLICK

Thu, 04/09/2009 - 5:31pm

I stands for lack of IQ. You're in the minus.

SCHLICK

Thu, 04/09/2009 - 6:48pm

HMMM, I'M "INPRESSED" TOO.

Retiree

Thu, 04/09/2009 - 6:56pm

Come on "I", don't get mad. The average person can not afford to buy drugs. The people in high positions that make lucrative wages can afford them. I witnessed certain people the way they act and you don't need to be a rocket scientist to know their on something. With everything that has transpired recently, there is justification for this county to be investigated from top to bottom. It would stop all the negative talk.

Julie R.

Thu, 04/09/2009 - 7:29pm

RE: "I" If my comments are "bizarre" that's only because the crap Erie County pulls off is more than bizarre. As for me being on drugs.....sorry, but I had to laugh at that one. That's even more comical then the "keep drinking the Nuesse Kool-Aid" crap........

Gulliver

Thu, 04/09/2009 - 8:30pm

Nobody knows what it is like for the person caring for a family member with Alzheimer's Disease. I wish this was around 5 years ago. My grandfather cared for my grandmother at home. We all said he was a saint. He told us, that if we knew how angry and frustrated he became sometimes while caring for my grandmother, we wouldn't say that about him. I say he did the best he could with what he knew to do.

I could never care for someone in her condition 7 days a week. I still think he was amazing.

John Doe

Thu, 04/09/2009 - 8:40pm

Hey Jason -

How about posting a picture of your dog?

A question my dog would ask: "Where did that darn cat go now?"

Gulliver

Fri, 04/10/2009 - 4:58am

and when the city builds me this dog park can they stock it with lots of squirrels?

Oliver Hardy

Fri, 04/10/2009 - 8:18am

I for one am all for an open and transparent government. And by government, I refer to all branches of government including any entity funded by tax dollars such as the Police and courts. Those in government seem to have forgotten that they must answer to the people, not the other way around. To ignore the people with "no comment" or refusal to release public records is something that would happen in Nazi Germany or the USSR. Lack of open government and lack of transparency in government tells me that the government is hiding something.

skinny

Fri, 04/10/2009 - 8:36am

If I were the Register, I'd call Krista Harris and pull her affidavidt that STATES she witnessed Kevin Baxter sniff cocaine....Don't forget Kevin's never been investigated , instead he draws up an affidavidt for his defense. Something tells me Krista Harris is not lying.............

Baxter says Register made up cocaine story County prosecutor files suit against newspaper

From Staff and Wire Reports

SANDUSKY, Ohio (AP) -- A county prosecutor in northern Ohio has sued a newspaper, accusing it of trying to destroy his reputation.

Erie County Prosecutor Kevin Baxter says The Sandusky Register made up a story saying a narcotics agent had testified that Baxter had used cocaine. Baxter said in the lawsuit filed Thursday the testimony never took place and the newspaper knew its stories were wrong.

Register Publisher Doug Phares said the newspaper stands behind its reporting. Matt Westerhold, managing editor of the Register, was also named in the lawsuit. He declined to comment.

Baxter is seeking more than $50,000 in the lawsuit.

Baxter's attorney, Tom Merriman sent out a news release to several newspapers throughout the northern part of the state Thursday.

"For the past ten months, the Sandusky Register has spun a salacious and sensational tale of scandal: A cocaine-abusing county prosecutor who lies to government investigators and abuses his power to falsify public records. In reality, the Register's storyline is a complete fabrication," the release alleges.

"Driven by the actual malice of Managing Editor Matt Westerhold, the newspaper has perpetrated an unlawful campaign of defamation intended to destroy the career and reputation of Erie County Prosecutor Kevin Baxter. Westerhold has made no secret of his contempt for Baxter and has falsely accused him of criminal activity ranging from drug abuse to falsification," the release goes on to allege.

"The reporting has been disgraceful," said Merriman in the release. "There is a clear public record which proves the Register knows its stories are false."

Baxter is being represented by the law firm of Landskroner Grieco Madden. Merriman said the lawsuit alleges the newspaper manufactured a storyline "built upon invented testimony, the distortion of innocuous facts, and the knowing re-publication of long discredited defamatory statements."

"I respect the role of the press," Baxter is quoted in Merriman's news release, "but journalism is supposed to be driven by the truth."

Merriman alleges in the news release, "the Register's attacks on Baxter grew out of Managing Editor Westerhold's public crusade to save the job of former Sandusky Police Chief Kim Nuesse. City Manager Matt Kline recently fired Nuesse following an independent investigation by attorney Michael Murman. Although Baxter did not initiate the investigation, Westerhold claimed in his column, 'Nuesse-gate is all about comfort for Baxter.'"

"While I don't normally recommend suing people who buy their ink by the barrel," added attorney Jack Landskroner in the news release, "Westerhold's extreme bias has distorted the newspapers' coverage well beyond the realm of constitutionally protected speech."

Merriman also alleges in the news release Westerhold "oversaw a series of defamatory articles, written by reporter Jason Singer. Singer's reports attempted to dredge up and bolster a long-discredited allegation that Kevin Baxter had abused cocaine. Specifically, Singer made up testimony and attributed it to an agent from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification. Singer wrote, 'A high-ranking undercover narcotics agent...testified there was a 'credible witness' who could substantiate the accusations.'"

Merriman said the cocaine rumor was originally circulated by Baxter's estranged brother Edward J. "Ejay" Baxter following a dispute over their parents' estate. Merriman said a grand jury indicted Edward in 2002 on 81 felony counts for sending out letters accusing his brother of drug abuse, case fixing, and various criminal acts. Merriman added Ejay Baxter pled guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice, "admitting in open court and again in a written statement that he had lied about his brother. The Sandusky Register covered the entire case."

"I've never used cocaine and Matt Westerhold knows Ejay made it up," Kevin Baxter is quoted as saying in the news release. "He's given me no choice but to pursue this case."

Matt Westerhold did not return a phone call from The Gazette.

Pat

Fri, 04/10/2009 - 8:38am

It's rather apparent that he needs to take a drug test and submit to a polygraph. He claims that he's never used cocaine. Okay, well no one that I know believes that. How about: crack, heroin, LSD, marijuana, and your favorite (Ambien).

What, is he know claiming to have never used any illicit drugs in his life.

Everyone knows the truth and truth will come out.

Oliver Hardy

Fri, 04/10/2009 - 8:50am

Mr. White,While I do appreciate having to register with a unique username on these news blogs, I myself like the forums as they are now. I am currently not registered on the forums due to lack of interesting topics started by others. My questions to you are the following. I am registered now on these news blogs. What will happen to my chosen username if somebody else decides to use the same username on the forums? If only one username is needed to sign onto all of the newspaper's online content, what will happen to the username currently used on the news blogs? For example, what if somebody else decides to use "Oliver Hardy" on the forums, will I still be able to sign in as Oliver Hardy on the news blogs? Would the person using the name Oliver Hardy on the forums take away my access as Oliver Hardy on these news blogs? It sounds complicated to me, that is why I like the forums as they are and keep things simple. Maybe the Sandusky Register should start up some interesting topics on the forums to get more people to participate on the forums.

Pat

Fri, 04/10/2009 - 8:56am

According to Elsebeth Baumgartner, Krista Harris was set up on sham theft charges and wrongfully and unlawfully convicted due to case fixing in Erie County Common Pleas Court.

Documents filed in the court reveal that the State of Ohio violated Harris' rights in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section 2913.61(C)(1) and the Double Jeopardy Clause of the United States of America.

Harris has filed a number of affidavits against Kevin Baxter and yet none of them have been addressed by law enforcement. However, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals Judges in Cincinnati believe that Ms. Harris was victimized by a corrupt judicial system in Erie County and therefore considered Harris' affidavit along with the affidavit of Baxter's brother, (Ejay Baxter) as evidence that prosecutorial misconduct was a factor in the conviction of 3 defendants in a murder trial.

One thing is for sure, Krista Harris conviction was fabricated and there is no way in He$$ that she will not be exonerated because the court documents exposes' all of their crimes.

Several high profile attorneys are currently investigating Baumgartner's and Harris' cases. It won't be long before the real truth is exposed.

Julie R.

Fri, 04/10/2009 - 10:23am

Curious about "I's" comment that a "couple of loser brothers didn't get enough out of mommy's Will"......why didn't they? Because of criminal acts committed by attorneys and/or judges and a couple of Eeeeerie County financial institutions maybe?

skinny

Fri, 04/10/2009 - 11:42am

Hey "I" the convicted felons weren't felons until (KB) went after them. I agree with "Pat" The federal Court sees it differently. If I were KB I'd be concerned that my stradegy was back-firing ?

Kelly

Fri, 04/10/2009 - 12:42pm

Can I sue my human if he keeps letting me get loose and I get hit by a car?

Julie R.

Fri, 04/10/2009 - 10:18pm

If Ejay Baxter in 2002 "admitted in open court and in a written statement that he lied about Kevin Baxter" then how did he file another complaint against Kevin several months ago requesting that Tygh Tone handle it? Even better, why wasn't "his admittance that he lied" mentioned by BINETTE and then the Appeals Court when they turned down his Complaint? Something sure doesn't smell right there----not that it surprises me. I know how the dirty legal system in Erie County works. I'm also willing to bet there was a lot of FRAUD and CRIMINAL acts in the Baxter probate estate involving attorneys and others........

Curious as to why the new forum has several of MY comments stated to be "submitted by Matt Westerhold (not verified)". Matt didn't make those comments----I did. Don't like the comments? Then PROVE they aren't the TRUTH!

SCHLICK

Mon, 04/13/2009 - 6:30pm

HAS EJ REFILED, AND WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE ARSON OF HIS MISSOURI HOME?

Winston Smith

Sun, 04/19/2009 - 7:02am

Mr. Westerhold wrote:

'It‚Äôs reminiscent of that sweet line from the movie, Angels in the Outfield: "It could happen."'

Our nation's H*ll bent rush toward a planned green economy and the millions of jobs it supposedly will create, reminds me of the sense of faith expressed in the fantasy movie, "Field of Dreams."

"If you build it, they will come?" In the world of reality, the main character would more than likely have gone bankrupt.

ottonut44

Mon, 05/24/2010 - 1:33pm

Are they still using an hourglass to time the Huron sprinters?? They be slow!!

streak

Sat, 04/25/2009 - 2:40pm

She is only a sophmore register, so thinks are looking good for the streaks the next couple of years.

streak

Sat, 04/25/2009 - 2:40pm

She is only a sophmore register, so things are looking good for the streaks the next couple of years.